Bearcats beat the Bulldogs for the first time in 9 years!!

February 8, 2013

Arizona Taylor makes lay up during the Bearcats fight against the Valliant Bulldogs. Photo courtesy of Curtis Video Photo.

By

Jenifer Smith

On Tuesday, January 29th, our Bearcats traveled to Valliant to take on Coach Aaron Noel’s Bulldogs, who we haven’t been able to beat in nine years. Our Bearcats knew this game would be a tough one, especially on the Bulldogs homecoming night, and they were prepared to go hard all four quarters.

Tip-off went to Valliant starting the first quarter off on a good note for them and an un-easy one for us. In the first period it was already becoming very clear that it was going to be a good game with evenly matched talent and drive, and the first period ended with a score of 9-8 Antlers. Sr. Forward Bryce Martin and Sr. Guard Caleb Smith tied for leading scorer of the first half with 6 points each. Sr. Guard Harlan House was right behind them with 5, and the first half closed with a score of 23-28 Valliant. In the second period Valliant proved they were wanting a win and our Bearcats came out at the half ready for a fight.

In the third period both teams played hard not giving the other an inch. Jr. Guard Tanner Brown went off in the second half putting up 14 points for our Bearcats, making him the leading scorer for the second half and the game. Sr. Forward Bryce Martin was a close second with 8 points, and the third period ended in a score of 43-44 Valliant. In the fourth period it was each team matching the other basket for basket and Coach Branton knew we needed to make something happen and called a crucial time out to motivate the boys. Coming back from this time out Sr. Guard Harlan House made 3 huge defensive steals that gave the rest of the team the second wind they needed and our Bearcats went on to steal this win in the last few minutes of the game with a score of 64-53 Antlers. Great Job Coach and Bearcats!